Ultrasound tech in Gillette ranks among one of the highest salaries in medical field. According to the estimates of BLS.gov, diagnostic medical sonography is the third best paying job that can acquire with an associate degree. High salary and great employment outlook make this profession the most popular choice.

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Job Description of an Ultrasound Tech

Ultrasound technicians perform duties that produce results similar to other diagnostic imaging fields, including X-rays and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) machines. The difference is sonography uses reflected sound waves to create an image of the inside of a patient’s body. Ultrasound is commonly used during pregnancy to view a fetus.

Ultrasound technicians are trained to operate ultrasound equipment and to look for abnormal problem areas in an image. They must ensure that the image is clear enough for the doctor and other medical staff to make an accurate diagnosis. Also, the ultrasound technician may be required to obtain measurements, perform calculations and evaluate the results.

Are There Different Types of Medical Sonographers?

Because sonography is used on so many different areas of the body, most sonographers choose to specialize in one or more areas. These include: obstetric/gynecologic sonographers, who study the female reproductive system; abdominal sonographers, who inspect organs such as the gallbladder, bile ducts, kidneys, liver, pancreas, spleen and the male reproductive system; neurosonographers, who study the nervous system and the brain; breast sonographers who aid in mammography in order to detect breast cancer, track tumors, monitor blood supply conditions, and assist in biopsy of breast tissue; and vascular and cardiac sonographers, who study the heart and blood vessels.

How to Become an Ultrasound Technician in Gillette?

Sonographers usually earn at least an associate degree or a postsecondary certificate in Gillette, WY. They may also earn professional ultrasound certification or state licensure related to a specialty. High school students interested in sonography should take human anatomy, physiology and mathematics courses. The final level of education that sonographers need depends on their career goals.

Certificate program. Sonography certificate programs in Gillette provide sonography training to people who already work in related healthcare jobs, such as nursing. Sonography certificates can be earned in as little as one year.

Associates degree. Associate degrees in sonography in Gillette are sufficient for entry-level positions. Associate degrees can be earned in two years.

Bachelors degree. A bachelor’s degree in sonography in Gillette enables sonographers to become consultants or department heads. Students with a bachelors degree can also apply to a medical school. Students with an associates degree can earn a bachelors degree within two years. Otherwise, students usually complete a bachelors degree program in four years.

Graduate degree. Graduate degrees in ultrasound technology in Gillette are appropriate for students that want to teach at the university level. Advanced degrees equip students to perform specialized research and to publish their findings in medical journals. Most master’s degree programs take at least two years to complete.

On-the-job training. Sometimes, nurses or radiologists learn sonography on-the-job. In these cases, continuing education courses can supplement experiential knowledge. Most states require sonographers to earn medical continuing education (CME) credits throughout their careers in order to retain their ultrasound technician certification.

Ultrasound Technician Career Overview in Gillette

Required Education

Associate’s degree is most common; certificate and bachelor’s degree programs also available

Certification

Professional certification may be required or preferred by some employers

Ultrasound Technician Schools in Gillette

Ultrasound technician schools are located throughout the Gillette, but how do you know if the one you choose will give you the education you need? Consider some of the following criteria when comparing colleges:

Accreditation: Look for ultrasound technician schools in Gillette that are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), the Joint Review Committee on Education in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (JRC-DMS) or regional accrediting agencies. Without accreditation, students are unable to apply for federal financial aid or earn professional certification.

High-tech facilities: As an ultrasound technician, you’ll work with technology and state-of-the-art equipment every day. This is why it’s important to find a school that offers instruction in high-tech facilities. Once you’ve gained knowledge in the classroom, you’ll want to put your skills to the test with hands-on training. Be sure to tour a school’s facility and learn what type of access you’ll have to the labs on campus.

Externship opportunities: One of the best ways to understand a day-in-the-life of an ultrasound technician is to get out in the field. Look for a school that partners with local medical facilities or labs for externships. Real-life experience is invaluable; you’ll be able to shadow a sonographer, ask questions and learn about the challenges and rewards of the job. No textbook can offer that type of experience.

What’s the Job Market Like?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for diagnostic medical sonographers/ultrasound technologists in Gillette looks very promising. The projected job growth between 2015 and 2023 is 46% in the United States. (The average job growth projection for all occupations in the U.S. is 14%). This equates to over 23,000 new ultrasound tech jobs within this decade.

Ultrasound Technician Salary

In 2013, the median salary for medical sonographers was $63,251/year in Gillette, according to the BLS. The BLS adds that the bottom 10% of ultrasound technologists made $46,83236/year, whereas the top 10% made $91,684/year in Gillette.

Numerous factors contribute to an ultrasound tech’s salary. Naturally the more experience you have, generally the more you will make. Certifications and higher education also lead to more advanced or specialized job positions which lead to higher compensation. Where you work also plays a role. For example, the BLS stated that in 2013, ultrasound technologists working in outpatient care centers made more than those in doctor’s offices, labs and hospitals. Finally, geographic location is also a factor.